City Comparison

Durham vs Killeen

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Durham

North Carolina
101
Average
$340,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$57,738
Median Income

Killeen

Texas
84
Very Affordable
$235,000
Median Home
$975/mo
Median Rent
$56,400
Median Income

The Verdict

20.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 20.2%, with Killeen being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Durham has equivalent purchasing power to $62,376 in Killeen.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
104
Durham
56
Killeen
Groceries
100
Durham
96
Killeen
Utilities
93
Durham
108
Killeen
Transportation
100
Durham
95
Killeen
Healthcare
108
Durham
96
Killeen

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Durham has the same purchasing power as $62,376 in Killeen.

Conversely, $75,000 in Killeen equals $90,179 in Durham.

Living in Durham vs Killeen

Housing Costs

Durham's housing index of 104 is higher Killeen's 56, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $235,000. The $105,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,828 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Durham compared to $975/mo in Killeen, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Durham and 96 in Killeen. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Durham vs $456/month in Killeen. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Durham and 108 in Killeen. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Durham vs $432 in Killeen. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 108 in Durham and 96 in Killeen. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $57,738 in Durham and $56,400 in Killeen. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,166 and $67,143 respectively. Killeen residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,347/month to housing in Durham vs $1,316/month in Killeen. In Durham, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Killeen, median rent of $975/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 48 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Killeen is 20.2% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 101.
A $75,000 salary in Durham has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $62,376 in Killeen, based on the cost of living difference.
Durham's housing index is 104 with median homes at $340,000, while Killeen's is 56 with median homes at $235,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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